Tuesday • January 23, 2007

Congratulations to Jim Deckard, the KBA's new Executive Director

Comments (0)   TrackBacks (0)   E-mail this article

[Update: See "Criticism of Deckard appointment misunderstands the position of KBA Executive Director"]

Congratulations to Jim Deckard, General Counsel to Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher, who has been selected as the new Executive Director of the Kentucky Bar Association.  He succeeds Bruce K. Davis, who will retire in March after serving as Executive Director for over twenty years. 

I had the pleasure of working with Jim during my service as Chief Bar Counsel, when he was serving as Chief Justice Lambert's chief of staff. I know that he will bring a high level of intelligence and integrity, and also a sophisticated understanding of Kentucky's legal system, to the position of Executive Director.

The KBA faces many challenges in the years ahead, including the staffing demands of the attorney disciplinary system and the KBA's need to stay relevant and helpful to solo and small firm practitioners. Jim can be expected to bring a fresh perspective to those issues, along with the energy and intellect to craft meaningful proposals for consideration by the KBA's Board of Governors.

Jim's selection was announced yesterday in a press release by Governor Fletcher's office. The full text of the press release follows:

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Ernie Fletcher today announced that General Counsel Jim Deckard has been offered and has accepted the post as executive director of the Kentucky Bar Association.  Deckard decided to accept the position after talking with the governor this afternoon.

Deckard will begin his new position on March 1.

“I am extremely proud of Jim for being chosen for this most prestigious position,” said Governor Fletcher.  “The leadership of the Kentucky Bar Association has honored Jim with their trust to lead their organization.  Jim has had a very successful tenure with our office and he will be a perfect fit in this new position. I wish him the best in his new venture.”

“It has been an honor to work with Governor Fletcher,” said Deckard.  “The opportunity to serve as executive director of the Kentucky Bar Association, however, is another ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity that I have been blessed with.   I have the greatest respect for the governor and his entire team, and wish them continued success.”

Deckard, a native of Tompkinsville, is a graduate of Western Kentucky University and the University of Memphis.  Since June 20, 2005, Deckard has served as General Counsel for the office of Governor Fletcher.

After graduating from law school, Deckard, 37, served as a law clerk with the Supreme Court of Kentucky and was in private practice in Nashville with the firm of Leitner, Williams, Dooley and Napolitan and later with Manier and Herod.  Jim and his wife, Mandy, live in Frankfort with their two sons, Levy, 4, and Henry, 2.